The Flyers’ Mark Streit, who will be donning Swiss colors for the fourth time in this year’s Winter Olympics, is realistic about the threat of terrorism looming over the Games in Sochi, Russia. But the 36-year-old, who says 2014 will be his last Olympics, also would prefer to focus on hockey rather than security worries. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

VOORHEES — Still young enough to revel in feelings of pride and nationalism, Mark Streit says he’s excited and honored to participate in what will be his fourth Winter Olympics.

“It’s an honor to play for Switzerland,” the Flyers defenseman said Wednesday. “It is a big challenge. It’s the best players in the world and I’m really excited. That’s why we play hockey.”

It’s also why, the 36-year-old Streit says, what likely will be his last Olympics will be one he’ll share with his parents. What he doesn’t like is the idea of sharing fears of terrorism with them as part of the experience in Sochi, Russia.

“I think it’s sad that all we talk about are security issues and terror threats,” Streit said. “For such a big event, the sports should be the headline, not the terror threats. ... I hope Russia is doing a good job in protecting the athletes and our families over there.”

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Streit isn’t the only Flyers player to voice sudden concerns about Olympic terror talk, perhaps because league officials have joined in for a chorus of concern barely a week before the Feb. 7 opening ceremonies.

Amid greater attention paid to threats from Islamic insurgency groups in the nearby Northern Caucasus region, and with three bombings in the region taking the lives of some 34 people in recent months, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly indicated the league was watching the situation in Sochi very closely and that a change of heart on endorsing its players’ participation wasn’t out of the question.

“As of now, we do not doubt that all necessary steps are being taken by the Sochi Organizing Committee, the Russian government and the IOC to ensure the safety of the athletes and guests in Sochi,” Daly said via email Monday to The Associated Press. “Obviously, if something significant were to transpire between now and February 9 (the start of the hockey tourney) that causes us to question that conclusion, we will re-evaluate. I don’t expect that will become necessary.”

But security experts are increasingly weighing in on threats, with some people saying it’s more media hype than anything, and others saying that an act of terrorism at the Games should be expected rather than merely feared.

For some, that doesn’t matter. Looking ahead to the Czech Republic’s chances against Team Russia, an excitable Jake Voracek said, “Yeah! It’s going to be crazy, it’s going to be pumping! I’m real excited about it.”

Added another first-time Olympian, Michael Raffl: “It’s going to be sick. I don’t know how many times I’ll get a chance to play in the Olympics for Austria, so I’m going to enjoy it.”

Hopefully, “sick” won’t take on a more familiar connotation when it comes to these Olympics.

“I hope they do a good job of protecting everything there,” Raffl added. “I hope nothing happens, but you never know. When you see it on the news, you think about it. But if I’m going there, I’m going there for the sports, not to be scared of anything.”

Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros, who will play for the Slovakians, noted Tuesday that there was just reason for concern among all athletes, family members and fans attending. Admitting he’s “worried,” Meszaros nonetheless concluded, “There’s nothing you can do about it. ... Unfortunately, the world is like it is.”

“I agree with Mez,” Streit said. “As you get older you can’t worry about things like that. You want to enjoy the Olympic Games; you want to be successful and play well for your country.”

Yet Daly’s email might be enough to move the NHL’s players union to think about the ramifications of sending its members into such situations. Already, the league has voiced deep concerns about future Olympic participation, mostly because of financial factors stemming from travel and the need to take a two-week break right in the middle of the season.

But the increasing safety concerns might be the last straw, considering the 2018 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in another distant locale replete with political complexities in Pyeongchang, South Korea. That remains to be seen.

For now, Mark Streit will pack up his parents, his hopes and his dreams and go off to play for his country ... secure in the knowledge that his trip will be worthwhile?

“Yeah, I am,” he said. “At the end of the day I think, hopefully, there’s just a lot of smoke and no fire. I’m sure ... yeah, I’m confident that nothing’s going to happen and we’ll be fine.”